a land owner partnered with f&g nearby my home and set aside a youth only pheasant area.. you must call ahead and book it then f&g WILL stock it with a few birds for the youths to shoot . they must be accompanied by an adult but great opportunity for youths and a grand time even for the adults, who can't hunt but can work their dogs.
Youth only big game seasons
- Thread starter Hilltop
- Start date
BKhunter50
Member
I have two nephews who live in Florida and are never taken out hunting by their dad - even though their dad used to hunt when he lived in Michigan. When they come to visit Uncle Paul (me) over Christmas, I take them deer and duck hunting. This past Christmas break I was able to get them into a youth duck hunt that was a complete blast! They shot their 50 shells (combined) and walked away with three ducks. We REALLY enjoyed ourselves and the hunt will never be forgotten. I'm thankful states give kids those type of opportunites.
Like a lot of guys have already mentioned, most hunters take their kids hunting and may not need the youth hunts. I started taking my son turkey hunting with me when he was three. This year he moved to Bozeman Montana (26 year old now) because he loves to hunt and fish so much. But there are some kids out there who want to try hunting but their parents don't really do it themselves. Youth hunts help assit people in arranging positive hunting expereinces for kids who may not otherwise have the opportunity. It's not a perfect solution, but as some have said, the positives outweigh the negitives (my opinion).
Like a lot of guys have already mentioned, most hunters take their kids hunting and may not need the youth hunts. I started taking my son turkey hunting with me when he was three. This year he moved to Bozeman Montana (26 year old now) because he loves to hunt and fish so much. But there are some kids out there who want to try hunting but their parents don't really do it themselves. Youth hunts help assit people in arranging positive hunting expereinces for kids who may not otherwise have the opportunity. It's not a perfect solution, but as some have said, the positives outweigh the negitives (my opinion).
CrimsonArrow
Very Active Member
I only have 2 sticking points with our states youth hunts. There is a 1 day youth waterfowl hunt held a week before regular opener. A lot of our ducks can't even fly at this point, few ducks ever get shot, and it boogers a lot of local ducks out of our area. The early youth rifle deer hunt is either sex, and i think its kind of an ego trip for some parents to have their kids knock down some trophy buck that's feeding out in some bean field. Huge advantage to rifle hunt earlier in the fall, when some of these deer are still feeding somewhat consistently. I'd like to see that changed to an antlerless only.
shootbrownelk
Veteran member
I see the "youth only" tag systems as being ripe for misuse. Like the guy who applies for his wife and kids for Moose/Sheep and then he does the killing. I'm sure that some dads ply the system for opportunities they wouldn't otherwise get. Take the kids out during the regular season if you like.
HighPlainsHunter
Active Member
I like the idea of letting kids hunt before adults. Great opportunity to let them have some fun before they have to battle the orange army with the adults.
Kansas has a nice setup for kids allowing them to hunt first in September.
Kansas has a nice setup for kids allowing them to hunt first in September.
Here in Maryland we have two youth waterfowl days (Nov and Feb), a two day youth deer season (Nov) and a two day youth turkey season. Both the waterfowl and turkey season are when the "adult"season is not open and the deer season is timed during the rut.
As someone who has taken my daughter and several youth out over the course of the last several years its a great opportunity to expose and get kids exposed and excited about hunting and allowing adults/parents to fully concentrate on having a successful hunt with the kids.
As someone who has taken my daughter and several youth out over the course of the last several years its a great opportunity to expose and get kids exposed and excited about hunting and allowing adults/parents to fully concentrate on having a successful hunt with the kids.
dirtclod Az.
Veteran member
Yell Co AR Hunter
Very Active Member
First let me state youth hunts are a good thing, but with any good you will get a small amount of bad.
My experience from Arkansas.
The good.
You can take a youth hunting and make the hunt all about them if it is a special season. If the kid wants to leave after 30 minutes that is fine. If adults take a child on their hunt it is a different situation.
The mentor can not carry a gun to hunt with so safety is increased.
A sportsman will take the time to take a child if it does not conflict with his hunting. I am not talking about their own child. There are a couple groups here in Arkansas that have programs to involve children from non-hunting households. These kids would never get a chance to hunt if not for the programs. Last year it was around 1,400 kids deer, turkey, and duck.
The Bad.
This happens I know because I saw it. Dad makes daughter go and he shoots the deer. The girl would not even touch the deer at the check station for a picture.
I have had the pleasure of taking 5 different successful kids on their first deer hunt. Two were my children. The others would have never got a chance to hunt. 2 of those 3 are still hunting and very involved in conservation groups.
I think we should do everything possible to keep new life in our sport. I have volunteered teaching hunter education for over 25 years and certified around 8,000 students. I have always said if you love something do something.
My experience from Arkansas.
The good.
You can take a youth hunting and make the hunt all about them if it is a special season. If the kid wants to leave after 30 minutes that is fine. If adults take a child on their hunt it is a different situation.
The mentor can not carry a gun to hunt with so safety is increased.
A sportsman will take the time to take a child if it does not conflict with his hunting. I am not talking about their own child. There are a couple groups here in Arkansas that have programs to involve children from non-hunting households. These kids would never get a chance to hunt if not for the programs. Last year it was around 1,400 kids deer, turkey, and duck.
The Bad.
This happens I know because I saw it. Dad makes daughter go and he shoots the deer. The girl would not even touch the deer at the check station for a picture.
I have had the pleasure of taking 5 different successful kids on their first deer hunt. Two were my children. The others would have never got a chance to hunt. 2 of those 3 are still hunting and very involved in conservation groups.
I think we should do everything possible to keep new life in our sport. I have volunteered teaching hunter education for over 25 years and certified around 8,000 students. I have always said if you love something do something.
HuskyMusky
Veteran member
Here in IL, all I'm aware of is a youth shotgun slug deer season I believe it's during OCT when the rest of us can only bowhunt deer.
I don't believe it's very popular, I'm sure some do it, so I haven't noticed these youth shotgunners ruining any of my bow hunting seasons.
I don't believe it's very popular, I'm sure some do it, so I haven't noticed these youth shotgunners ruining any of my bow hunting seasons.
I really like Colorado's approach. My son is new to hunting and determined to be an archer. That's a tougher place to start particularly when your old man (me) is not a bowhunter. Between school, me working, and general inexperience, naturally his first season or two came up totally dry. Colorado has a bunch of "youth" oriented programs, but the two that helped us most were:
1. A youth hunter who doesn't fill a tag can continue hunting in later seasons. So I was able to take a Sunday or two during the normal archery season to go out with him, and when that came up empty, he was able to join me on MY rifle hunts (still using his bow of course, but that was his decision).
2. Youths who don't fill a tag can expand their GMUs to the ones immediately surrounding the one they chose originally. This was a really big deal because we had only done limited scouting for archery season and ended up in a really tricky zone with poor access for us "Sunday driver" type hunters. Having a little flexibility to look for better areas helped me introduce him to that line of thinking/planning despite our limited time in the field during his main season.
Colorado does have a youth-only season but we ended up not taking advantage of it. The programs above were much more helpful.
1. A youth hunter who doesn't fill a tag can continue hunting in later seasons. So I was able to take a Sunday or two during the normal archery season to go out with him, and when that came up empty, he was able to join me on MY rifle hunts (still using his bow of course, but that was his decision).
2. Youths who don't fill a tag can expand their GMUs to the ones immediately surrounding the one they chose originally. This was a really big deal because we had only done limited scouting for archery season and ended up in a really tricky zone with poor access for us "Sunday driver" type hunters. Having a little flexibility to look for better areas helped me introduce him to that line of thinking/planning despite our limited time in the field during his main season.
Colorado does have a youth-only season but we ended up not taking advantage of it. The programs above were much more helpful.
mooretitan
New Member
- Oct 18, 2013
- 22
- 1
Well having 5 kids and being a teacher I don't really see any connection with how the point system is turning youth away from hunting. I believe that if you did away with all point systems the amount of youth hunting would still be on a downward trend. Generally kids these days don't like anything to hard, its all about having fun, cell phones and video games. Hunting doesn't fit well with that. Now with my on kids and even myself. We hunt no matter what. Kids started chasing rabbits around the age of 7 and the last two years I have taken my oldest to Idaho because they start big game at 10. He has killed two bucks already but with he would have had to wait until 12,14,16 he still would love to hunt. Dads, moms and family are either willing to take their kids or not. My youngest son is not the biggest fan right now. He doesn't get to hunt yet but I take him with me. He has been on the top of many mountains starting at the age of 5. Probably would like to just stay home but he is a kid and I don't give him the choice. By the time we are done he has a good time.
States that do special youth tags, seasons and reduce fees are great. We would still hunt if they did not but man they really help make it a little easier. My sons deer hunts have cost probably $50 instead of the $500. That really helps. He will be put in this year for big game at home for youth tags. But with so few youth tags his chances really aren't any better than me drawling a good tag. But he will build points and use them at some point. Yes maybe a big horn, moose, billy wont be in the cards for him. But if its are priority he will find away to hunt them.
Now I will admit that when I see some kid smoking a big buck with a youth tag I do get a little sad that its wasn't me and that I should have that chance before them. But then I remind myself that 1. Good for that kid (yes he probably doesn't realize how lucky they were) 2. Its not always about horn size. Just appreciate the time in the mountains and health to do what I love.
States that do special youth tags, seasons and reduce fees are great. We would still hunt if they did not but man they really help make it a little easier. My sons deer hunts have cost probably $50 instead of the $500. That really helps. He will be put in this year for big game at home for youth tags. But with so few youth tags his chances really aren't any better than me drawling a good tag. But he will build points and use them at some point. Yes maybe a big horn, moose, billy wont be in the cards for him. But if its are priority he will find away to hunt them.
Now I will admit that when I see some kid smoking a big buck with a youth tag I do get a little sad that its wasn't me and that I should have that chance before them. But then I remind myself that 1. Good for that kid (yes he probably doesn't realize how lucky they were) 2. Its not always about horn size. Just appreciate the time in the mountains and health to do what I love.
HuskyMusky
Veteran member
I would suggest he be open to taking an avg or decent buck/deer etc... to gain some experience,
I once was a young archer and passed so many good bucks in hopes of a monster! and I lost experience in some regards.
Just because you get close enough to kill with your bow and pass, doesn't mean you would have! missing etc... gains you much more experience IMO. or perhaps be open to a management buck... something to be proud of and gain some experience.
Hindsight is 20/20, just my experience. good luck to both of you!
Montana
Veteran member
I obviously support them. Some of you may have seen hunting pics of Kate growing up in the outdoors. She was 3 yrs old when she was with me on her first harvest hunt and has loved it since. I think she was in Eastman?s at 4 in those Zebra print pants with a buck of mine.
I?ll be the first one to say it is 50 times easier in these junior hunts, but I will also say, as a parent, man am I thankful. In spot and stalk hunting, I need every bit of help as possible. It is flat tough to get a kid on a buck and then pull off a quality shot. Personally we need every break we can get.
We live in a state where game is abundant, we could step off our porch and shoot a deer within 1 hr any day of the week. So I have always taught my kids to be patient and enjoy the experience. We have been able to be a part of the youth hunt for 2 years and both years Kate has passed on opportunities at smaller bucks, she summed it up for me last year when I told her to shoot a small 4x4 while on the stalk for the bigger of the 2 bucks below. ?Dad... I don?t need to shoot a deer to have a good time, let?s just be patient and try to get in on the big buck?.
For her... it?s Ballet and hunting. Those are her to loves in life.
For me... I am thankful for her to have an easier hunt, maybe it makes it more enjoyable for her because I?m not sure I could go camping for 5 days and coach and develop her ballet skills. haha
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I?ll be the first one to say it is 50 times easier in these junior hunts, but I will also say, as a parent, man am I thankful. In spot and stalk hunting, I need every bit of help as possible. It is flat tough to get a kid on a buck and then pull off a quality shot. Personally we need every break we can get.
We live in a state where game is abundant, we could step off our porch and shoot a deer within 1 hr any day of the week. So I have always taught my kids to be patient and enjoy the experience. We have been able to be a part of the youth hunt for 2 years and both years Kate has passed on opportunities at smaller bucks, she summed it up for me last year when I told her to shoot a small 4x4 while on the stalk for the bigger of the 2 bucks below. ?Dad... I don?t need to shoot a deer to have a good time, let?s just be patient and try to get in on the big buck?.
For her... it?s Ballet and hunting. Those are her to loves in life.
For me... I am thankful for her to have an easier hunt, maybe it makes it more enjoyable for her because I?m not sure I could go camping for 5 days and coach and develop her ballet skills. haha
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
lostriverproductions
Active Member
Here in Indiana, youth have a special 2 day season for turkey, deer, and ducks. The season is usually the weekend before the normal opener. It gives them a chance to hunt them before everyone else, so that usually ups their odds.
It lets them be out in the woods when there is less pressure. I'm for them
It lets them be out in the woods when there is less pressure. I'm for them
People who are willing to poach aren't going to be deterred by rules unfortunately. I personally feel the good that can come from getting more youth involved far outweighs the potential for the few who would abuse such a program.
https://youtu.be/w4p7cr0Z4ec
this is why youth hunts are good.
head off the indoctrination before it has a chance to take hold.
this is why youth hunts are good.
head off the indoctrination before it has a chance to take hold.
Last edited:
https://youtu.be/3d7BnqdlyxA
This a video we put together on hunter recruiting.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
This a video we put together on hunter recruiting.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
buckbull
Veteran member
- Jun 20, 2011
- 2,170
- 1,360
Just going from memory I think the total youth kill for last year was around 3000. I took advantage of the youth hunt for my son. It was a god send. He is so active in sports the opportunities to hunt are usually relegated to only Sundays, especially during the fall when soccer is in full swing. Prior to high school was even worse when he was involved in club soccer and played competitive tennis and there were games and matches scheduled almost every Saturday and Sunday.